Painting Rifle Scope

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saltbait

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Hey folks!
Currently planning on painting my bushnell 10x40 in a tan colour.
Looking for advice as to whether this is a project that is recommended as a DIY project. I have done krylon painting on a few rifle accessories which have looked nice, but the finish didn't last very long. Anyone have any advice regarding how to make this finish last longer or is it a loosing battle.
Also, any individuals or dealers around that could possibly do a quality finish on my optic send a message my way!

Thanks again,
Ben
 
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Bartledan said:
Tagged for interest.

I stupidly bought a redfield scope (never again!), and they're painted instead of anodized. Mounting it scratched it so badly it's unsellable.
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I don't mean to thread jack, but I was thinking of a redfield scope. What's wrong with them? Pm me if its a long story.

To get back on topic, i dont see why you can't paint an aluminum scope. Mask everything off well. Would be a lot easier if you don't have turrets. I haven't done it myself, so I can't comment on which product to use.
 
I haven't done a scope but I can tell you that regardless of what paint you use adhesion is better on a clean surface and it helps to "key" the old surface - rough it up slightly with a fine grit sandpaper. Use a cleaner that will remove grease and oil, including the natural oil of your skin - wear gloves when you handle it after cleaning. More thin coats of paint are usually better than fewer thick coats, especially if you follow the paint maker's instructions on drying time between coats.
 
Clean it like too er says and scuff it up a bit, also don't forget to use a decent primer and follow instructions for dry time in between coats. For a longer lasting finish try spraying with clear coat. Should be able to find a flat gloss clear coat in a rattle can
 
PPG makes an epoxy-type paint designed to go over bare metal. It is a super tough automotive paint, often used on show cars.
Here in BC, Lordco will mix you small quantities. You can spray it with a cheap airbrush. OUTSIDE !! (fumes are very, very bad).

I've got some medium tan that I'm going to spray when the weather warms up a little.
 
Jmassecar said:
I don't mean to thread jack, but I was thinking of a redfield scope. What's wrong with them? Pm me if its a long story.
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The finish is black paint instead of anodizing. You can scratch it with your finger nail. Anodizing is a stable layer of alumina, which is a ceramic. Hard and strong, and quite durable. Paint is a thin layer of plastic.

Optically it's fine, I suppose.
 
I think any coating that doesn't need high temperature to cure should be OK. I'm not sure if arma-coat is rebranded Cerakote or durakote. Cerakote needs high temperature, and Durakote doesn't. I think.

Has anyone else noticed that autocorrect and firearm related technical terms don't mix? :)
 
Bartledan said:
I think any coating that doesn't need high temperature to cure should be OK. I'm not sure if arma-coat is rebranded Cerakote or durakote. Cerakote needs high temperature, and Durakote doesn't. I think.

Has anyone else noticed that autocorrect and firearm related technical terms don't mix? :)
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Arma coat does not require heat to cure. I've done a few rifles at home and they've turn out well and very scratch resilient without any heat curing. As a bonus it is very easy to get a hold of.
 
Bartledan said:
The finish is black paint instead of anodizing. You can scratch it with your finger nail. Anodizing is a stable layer of alumina, which is a ceramic. Hard and strong, and quite durable. Paint is a thin layer of plastic.

Optically it's fine, I suppose.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, good to know, thanks. I was more worried about the optics but painted vs anodized isn't great.
 
Most types of two part coatings would be best. Chimically set coatings will generally out perform air dried paint. Whether youvuse an epoxy or polyurethane, they're both good, but epoxy paints I think would be preferable for guns.
Prep work is everything, even a cheap paint can stay on pretty good with proper surface prep, and if you use a single part paint, clear coat it with a 2k clear coat for the tougj finish, but make sure you give the paint a full week of drying time as 2k polyurethanes will blister such paints if not very very set.
 
Just finished krylon job on the scope! I'll try to post some better pictures later, but it worked out well! I used 350 and 400 grit sand paper to roughen up the surface and rubbing alcohol to degrease (didn't forget the gloves!). I taped off all the movable parts and lenses (the ocular lense, focus adjustment, objective lense). I also took off the turrets and taped around the bottom half of them where the numbers were etched in. I applied thin coats....around 4 coats in total, giving each coat around an hour to dry. Once I finished putting the coats on, I left it to dry for about a week (krylon recommends doing this to make it "chip proof"). After a week I put a matte clear coat on the scope. It was the kind of clear coat that you put on car rims after you paint them. After about 3 thin coats of that I let it set for 24 hours and then reassembled eveything.

I'll take some more closeups later.

Ben
 
6.5 creedmoor built off of trued rem 700 action. Bolt is PTG spiral fluted and duracoted OD Green with Glades Armoury bolt knob. Barrel is a broughton Spiral fluted #4 contour. Receiver and barrel are cerakoted in FDE. Timney trigger, uses AICS mag system and has 20MOA rail. Rifle bedded in fully loaded Mcmillan A5.
Scope is a Bushnell 10x40, and bipod is a cheap UTG that I fixed up a bit. Bipod is mounted on rifle with blackhawk picatinny rail to stud adapter. Both scope and bipod are kryloned with the described method above.
 
Im really starting to like MacMillian stocks. Kinda makes me wish I built one, but the 3 year warranty and 1/2 MOA guarantee was hard to beat. Plus no wait time.
 
Wait time is definitely a downer with the Macmillian, but for me it was worth the weight...for me I wouldn't rather have gone with anything else.
Currently selling some stuff to fund a 300 win mag build....any stock suggestions?
 
Choate Tactical are similar to MacMillan and a fraction of the price.

I love both of mine!!

 
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